Ornamenting ring for wheel rims



- Feb. 12, 1935. G. A. LYON Re. 19,466

ORNAMENTING RING FOR WHEEL RIMS Original Filed March 7, 1932 IIIIII Georye 47/661"! @02 2 eRMmam s: I Kelli-A156 umreo STATES PATENT OFFICE George Original No. 1,891,192, dated December 13, 1932, Serial No. 597,233, March 7, 1932. Application.

for reissue June 28, 1934, Serial No. 732,921

: Claims. (cl. 41 1o)' This invention relates to means for ornament- The rim 8, as illustrated, comprises a central ing the side flanges of the rims of automobile base portion 12 to which are suitablysecured the wheels. It will be described asembodied in an spokes 7. The rim is also provided with offset automobile wheel rim of the type used for wire base portions 13 and 14 which are in the form of 5 wheels, but my invention is not limited to this shoulders spaced from the central base portion 5 form of wheel, as it may be incorporated in any 12 by intermediate flanges 15 extending outwardother form of automobile wheel rim. ly and inclined in opposite directions laterally It has been the practice hertofore to plate the from the central base portion. On the oifset base flange of the automobile wheel rim which is portions or shoulders 13 and 14 are provided side normally disposed outwardly when in operation, tire engaging flanges 18 which are frictionally 0 but this has been found to be an expensive opengaged by the bead portion 19 of the tire 11. eration and one which is not permanent nor The oifset base'13 is provided with an annular particularly desirable because it is readily afrecess 21 on its inwardly disposed surface adjafected by the grinding attion of sand and stones cent the junction of the base 13 and the flange 15 thrown by the wheels and to such an' extent that for cooperation with the ornamenting ring for 1 it becomes necessary to have the rims replated holding the same in position.'

- frequently to keep them in good condition. Applicant's improved ornamenting member for An object of this invention is to overcome the the wheel rim comprises a ring of relatively thin disadvantages of the prior art above mentioned resilient material including an inwardly arched and to provide improved means for omamenting intermediate portion 22 which connects two mar- 20 wheel rims. ginal portions 23 and 24. The arched portion 22 Another object of this invention is the proviserves to conceal the surface of the rim base 13. sion of an arcuate bead or the like for attachment The marginal portion 23 is relatively short and to circular or arcuate objects, such as wheel rims has cut away portions 25 providing resilient or 25 or similar devices having an exposed surface to yieldable spaced feet or lugs 26 which are forced 25 be decorated, protected, or covered. into the annular recess 21 in the base 13 for hold- A further and more specific object of this ining the ring 9 in position, as best illustrated in vention is the provision of a replaceable oma- Figure 3. The extension 23 extends outwardly menting ring for wheel rims, which ring is of or radially and is inclined laterally from the 30 si lifled construction, has a highly attractive wheel in a direction substantially parallel to the 30 appea nce and may be quickly applied and semajor portion of the extension 24. The extencured in position. sion or marginal portion 24 is relatively long as Another object is the provision of such a ring compared with themarginal portion or extenin combination with a wheel rim, which ring sion 23 and passes downwardly or in a radial diwhen applied and secured in position automatirection from the arched portion 22 and is in- 35 cally adjusts itself to ordinary variations in diclined laterally in a direction .away from the mensions of rims of the same stock size.- wheel to pass over the major portion of the mar- On the drawing: ginal flange l8. The portion 24 is preferably Figure 1 is a view in elevation showing an autoprovided at its extremity with a rolled or beaded mobile wheel including arim incorporating my portion 28 resiliently engaging the flange 18 and 40 invention. I adapted to automatically adjust itself to the nor- Figure 2 is an enlarged cross sectional view of mi variations or irregularities of the wheel rim.

a fragment of the wheel rim and tire shown in The lugs or teeth 26 being resilient are adapted Figure 1. to accommodate themselves to any slight manu- 5 Figure 3 is a very much enlarged view of a facturing irregularities on the surface or diamfragment of that shown in Figure 2. eter of the rim base 13.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on the line The omamenting' ring 9- may be formed of IV-IV of Figure 2. a highly polished corrosive resisting material hav- 1 My invention, as illustrated, is incorporated in ing the necessary inherent resiliency or it may the rim of a wire-wheel for an automobile. The be formed by heavily plated spring steel or such 50 wheel designated generally by numeral 5 comother material as may be found best suited for prises a hub 6, wire spokes 7, a rim 8 and an the specific purpose. From the foregoing descripomamenting continuous ring 9. The wheel as tion it will be readily understood that the ring in operation is normally-fitted with a tire 'll'held 9 may be quickly applied to the wheel rim by in place by frictional engagement with the rim 8, simply pressing the same axially over the base 55 spaced feet or lugs 26 into the annular groove 21. When the lugs 26 are pressed into the annular recess 21, the intermediate connecting arched portion 22 has been flexed a certain amount which is sufllcient to yieldingly urge the bead 28 on the outer edge of the marginal portion 24 to very -flrmly and uniformly engage the surface of the tire engaging flange 18, adjacent the lower edge thereof, in a manner to cover a very substantial portion of the flange and give a greatly improved appearance to the wheel rim as a whole. Although the ring 9 is of a relatively permanent nature it may be readily removed and replaced when desired simply by inserting a suitable tool between the flange 15 and the marginal portion 23 to force the lugs 26 from their position in the annular recess 21.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the preferred form of my invention as herein illsutrated and described is susceptible of various changes and modifications without departing from the principle of the invention, and I do not therefore intend my invention to be limited in any manner except as required by the prior art.

I claim as my invention:

1. An automobile wheel rim including a base and side flanges, said base having an annular recess spaced inwardly from said side flanges and an annular ornamenting member partially concealing one of said flanges and including a pinrality of spaced teeth seated in the recess in said base. 7

2. An automobile wheel rim including a central base, a flange on said central base, an offset base on said flange, a tire engaging flange on said oifset base, an annular recess in said oflset base and an ornamenting ring resiliently engaging said tire engaging flange and including marginal projections seated in the recess in said ofiset base.

3. An automobile wheel rim including a central base portion and an oflfset base portion, a tire engaging flange on said offset base portion, an intermediate flange between said ofiset base portion and said central base portion with an annular recess at the junction of said intermediate flange and said offset base portion, and an ornamenting ring including marginal portions partially concealing the flanges on said rim and an inwardly curved portion connecting said marginal portions the outermost marginal portion concealing said tire engaging flange.

4. An automobile wheel rim including a central base, an annular shoulder spaced laterally from said central base, a tire engaging marginal flange on said shoulder, a recess in said shoulder, an ornamenting ring comprising two marginal portions extending substantially parallel, and an intermediate inwardly arched portion integrally connecting said marginal portions, said marginal portions engaging respectively said flange and said shoulder.

5. An automobile wheel rim including a base, a tire engaging marginal flange on said base, said base having a longitudinally extending recess, an ornamenting ring comprising outwardly extending marginal portions, and an inwardly arched portion connecting said marginal portions, one of said marginal portions engaging in the recess for holding said ring in position and the other portion overlying said marginal flange.

6. An automobile wheel rim including a base, a

marginal flange on said base, said base having a longitudinally extending recess, an ornamenting portion 13 and thereby forcing the longitudinallyring comprising an inwardly arched intermediate portion and marginal portions engaging respectively said flange and said base, the marginal portion engaging said base being relatively short, and including longitudinally spaced lugs inclined outwardly and engaging in the recess in said base.

7. An automobile wheel rim including a base, a marginal flange on said base, said base having a longitudinally extending recess, an ornamenting ring comprising an inwardly arched intermediate portion and marginal portions engaging respectively said flange and said base, the marginal portion engaging said flange being relatively long and being inclined outwardly and laterally to conceal the greater part of said flange.

8. An automobile wheel rim including a base, a marginal flange on said base, said base having a longitudinally extending recess, an ornamenting ring comprising an inwardly arched intermediate 'said flange and said base.

9. An automobile wheel rim including a base.

a marginal flange on said base, said base having a longitudinally extending recess, an ornamenting ring comprising an inwardly arched intermediate portion and marginal portions engaging respectively said flange and said base, said marginal portions being inclined laterally and extending outwardly in substantially the same direction, one 01' said portions including a beaded edge extending to a point on said flange adjacent the outer edge thereof, and the marginal portion engaging said flange being relatively long.

10. An automobile wheel rim including a base, a marginal flange on said base, said base having a longitudinally extending recess, an ornamenting ring comprising an inwardly arched intermediate portion and marginal portions engaging respectively said flange and said base, said marginal portions being inclined laterally and extending outwardly in substantially the same direction, one of said portions including a beaded edge extending to a point on said flange adjacent the outer edge thereof, and the marginal portion engaging said base including a plurality of spaced lugs forced into the recess in said base and held therein by the resiliency of the ring.

11. The combination with a wheel rim having a circular groove therein of an ornamental circular bead disposed over said groove so as to overlie the same and having an underturned toothed portion in engagement with said groove.

12. The combination with a wheel rim having a circular groove therein of an ornamental circular bead disposed over said groove so as to overlie the same and having an underturned portion in engagement with said groove, said underturned portion including a plurality of spaced resilient teeth adapted to be flexed into said groove to hold the bead on the rim.

13. The combination with a wheel rim of an ornamental continuous bead therefor of curved transverse cross section and held in tight cooperation with the rim solely by its engagementwith the rim, said bead including a normally concealed marginal portion including a plurality of projections for resiliently engaging said rim.

14. The combination with a wheel rim of an ornamental bead therefor of curved transverse cross section and held in tight cooperation with the rim solely by its engagement with the rim. said bead including a normally concealed marginal portion for resiliently engaging said rim, said marginal portion including a plurality of spaced fleidble teeth.

15. The combination with a wheel rim of an ornamental bead therefor of curved transverse cross section and held in tight cooperation with the rim solely by its engagement with the rim, said bead including a normally concealed marginal portion for resiliently engaging said rim, said marginal portion including a plurality of spaced flexible teeth and said rim including a circular groove into which said teeth are adapted to be flexed to hold the bead on the rim.

16. The combination with a circular wheel rim having an annular surface, of a circular-ornamental bead therefor including a plurality of yieldable teeth held in tight cooperation with said rim by their tips engaging the annular surface of said rim, said teeth extending diagonally rearward from said annular surface.

17. The combination with a circular rim having an annular surface, of a circular ornamental continuous bead therefor including a plurality'of yieldable projections held in tight cooperation with said surface of said rim by their engagement with said surface, and an arched portion of curved cross section connected to and disposed over said projections for concealing them and for overlying said surface, said projections being arranged and said annular surface being disposed so as to .require' that the projections drop behind a high point to a lower point. Y

18. An ornamental bead construction for a circular rim comprising a continuous circular bead having a flexible toothed portion of normally greater diameter than the surface of the rim to which it is to be applied, the teeth of said portion being deflectable with respect to said rim surface and being formed to apply pressure outwardly against said surface.

19. An ornamental bead construction for a circular rim comprising a continuous circular bead having a flexible toothed portion of normally greater diameter than the surface of the rim to which it is to be applied, the teeth of said portion being deflectable with respect to said rim .surface and being formed to apply pressure outwardly against said surface, and an outer circular portion connected to said toothed portion for concealing the teeth thereof.

20. An ornamental bead construction for a circular rim comprising a continuous circular bead having a flexible toothed portion of normally greater diameter than the surface of the rim to Y which it is to be applied, the teeth of said portion being deflectable with respect to said rim surface and being formed to apply pressure outwardly against said surface, said toothed portion constituting the sole means for retaining the bead in proper position on said rim.

21. In combination with an object having a generally curved portion, an ornamental bead and concealing said underturned portion.

22. The combination with an object having a circular surface to be ornamented, of an ornamental ring shaped bead having a longitudinal fold to provide outer and inner marginal portions, said fold being suiflciently broad to space apart said portions to permit an inward bending of said inner margin for resilient engagement with the surface of the object with said outer portion overlying said inner portion, and said bending of said inner portion being such as to position said inner portion for increased engagement with the obiect upon application of pressure tending to urge said bead from the object.

23. As an article of manufacture, an ornamental ring shaped bead for attachment to a circular object, said bead being transversely curved to provide an underturned marginal portion resiliently engageable with an object to support said bead on the object, the construction being such that pressure applied'to said head tending to move said bead from the object acts to increase the engagement of said unturned portion with the object.

24. As an article of manufacture, an orna-" mental ring shaped bead for attachment to a circular object, said bead being transversely curved to provide an outer marginal portion, and an underturned marginal portion disposed beneath and spaced from said outer portion sufllcientiy to permit flexing of said underturned portion into engagement with an object when said head is forced on the object, the space between said marginal portion being sufllcient to permit flexing of said underturned portion for positive engagement with the object and increased engagement with the object upon an application of pressure tending to remove said bead.

25. As an article of manufacture, an omamental ring shaped bead for attachment to a circular object, said bead having a transverse curvature to provide an underturned portion and an overlying portion concealing said underturned portion, said portions being spaced apart sufficiently to permit flexing of said underturned portion into cation of pressure tending to urge said bead off the object.

26. As an article of manufacture, an ornamental ring shaped bead for attachment to a-circular object, said bead having a longitudinal fold to provide outer and inner marginal portions spaced apart sufliciently to permit flexing of the inner marginal portion into tight engagement with the object, after flexing thereof said inner marginal portion sloping diagonally rearward from the surface engaged in a direction substantially contrary to the direction of application of the bead. I

27. The combination with a circular object of an annular ornamental bead therefor having a bodycurved transversely in cross section and held in tight cooperation with said object solely by its engagement therewith, said head including a marginal portion projecting diagonally rearward from the surface engaged for gripping engagement with said object disposed in an intermediate position under said curved body so as to be concealed thereby.

28. The combination with an arcuate object of an annular ornamental member partially concealing a surface of said object and including a plurality of spaced teeth disposed to have their tips resiliently grip tightly said surface, said teeth being at such an angle to said surface as to let them go easily into gripping position but to make them difficult to remove.

29. The combination with a circular object of an arcuate ornamental bead therefor having a body curved transversely in cross section and held in tight cooperation with said object solely by its eng ment therewith, said bead including a normally concealed marginal portion for gripping engagement with said object, said portion including a plurality of spaced gripping teeth projecting diagonally rearward and inwardly under said curved portion.

30. As an article of manufacture, an arcuate bead having a body of curved transverse cross section and including a portion for gripping engagement with an object whereby it may be held on the object solely by said gripping engagement, said portion being disposed internally of and underneath said curved body so as to be normally concealed thereby and so that any tendency to dislodge the gripping portion from the object engaged will result in an enhancement of the gripping engagement.

31. As an article of manufacture, an arcuate bead having a body of curved transverse cross section and including a normally concealed portion for resilient gripping engagement with an object whereby it may be held on the object solely by said resilient gripping engagement, said portion including a plurality of spaced resilient gripping teeth extending inwardly behind the curved body of said bead.

32. An automobile rim including base and side flanges, said base having a circular recessed portion spaced inwardly from said side flanges, and a circular ornamenting member partially concealing one of said side flanges, including a plurality ofyieldable'proiections in engagement with the recessed portion in said base.

33. An automobile wheel rim including base and side flanges, said base having a circular shoulder spaced inwardly from said side flanges, and a circular ornamental member disposed over one of said flanges, and including a plurality of spaced yieldable projections in engagement with said shoulder.

34. The combination with a wheel part, of an ornamental circular member of sheet material formed to be snapped into engagement with a surface of said wheel part and having concealed resilient fingers for yieldably retaining it in engagement with said surface and which fingers are rendered effective by the act of shoving said member into position on said wheel part so that said member is resiliently supported on saldwheel part by said fingers.

35. The combination with a wheel part, of an ornamental circular member of sheet material formed to, be snapped into engagement with a surface of said wheel part and having concealed resilient fingers for yieldably retaining it in engagement with said surface, said fingers being arranged to ride over said wheel surface which surface is shaped to require that the fingers drop behind a high point to a lower point in said surface.

GEORGE ALBERT LYON. 

